Closure for stuffed toy and method

ABSTRACT

A method for closing a stuffed toy having an opening for receiving filling material includes a tubular lining extending inwardly of the opening for receiving an insertion tube of a filing device providing stuffing material into the toy. The tubular lining is turned outwardly of the toy and encircled with a loop fastener that is then tighten about the tubular lining. Any excess material is cut from the loop fastener and the cut edges heated and abraded to smooth out any rough edges. The tubular lining may then be inserted into the toy and the opening closed by a slide fastener or flaps secured with Velcro® type material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for closing the opening for the filling of a stuffed toy, and the resultant product made.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stuffed toys such as plush animals or rag dolls are well know and typically include a fabric shell or skin that is stuffed with compressible polyester fibers, small beads, pieces of plastic foam material or the like. The outer fabric skin often simulates fur and resembles the shape of an animal such as the traditional teddy bear, or may be in the shape of a rag doll or other toy such as a car, train, airplane or the like.

Such toy items are manufactured by sewing the outer fabric skin together from multiple pieces of fabric and the fabric pieces are sewn together inside out, and then turned right side out so that the unsightly edges of the fabric seams remain on the inside of the fabric shell. An opening is left in the fabric shell through which an insertion tube of a stuffing machine may be inserted to fill the fabric shell with the desired amount of stuffing material into the shell, and the opening thereafter closed.

Often the fabric shells are shipped to the retail location where the toy may be sold, and the individual toy can be filled in the presence of the consumer who may select the desired amount of fill to provide a toy whose softness and compressibility can be suited to the individual needs of the consumer. Additionally, empty fabric shells may be shipped to a central location closer to distribution for stuffing.

It is necessary to provide a simple and reliable way to close the opening after the fabric shell is filled with stuffing material. Various proposals have been made to conveniently close the opening in the fabric shell after filling. U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,196 discloses a filament being crisscrossed loosely across an opening of a fabric shell and an insertion tube of a stuffing machine being inserted into the opening between adjacent loops of the filament. The filament is tightened to close the opening after the insertion tube is withdrawn. U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,633 discloses a drawstring closure for the opening, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,617 disclosing various closures such as a loose lock-stitch, and Velcro® fasteners. Such closure methods are often difficult in use or time consuming, and not very cost effective.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for closing the opening for the stuffing of a stuffed toy that is not only reliable and cost effective, but also and will provide a safe closure for use in an child's toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a stuffed toy having an opening for receiving filling material has a tubular lining extending inwardly of the opening for receiving an insertion tube of a filing device providing stuffing material into the toy, and the tubular lining is turned outwardly of the toy and encircled with a fastener that is then tighten about the tubular lining. Preferably, the fastener is a plastic loop fastener and any excess material can be cut from the loop fastener and the cut edges heated and abraded to smooth out any roughness. The tubular lining may then be inserted into the toy and the opening closed by a slide fastener or flaps secured with Velcro® type material.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description given below of a preferred embodiment, which description is made in conjunction with the following drawing FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrating the steps of manufacture of a stuffed toy according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loop fastener and out-turned tubular lining for receiving the insertion tube of a filling device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the step of side of tightening the loop fastener about the tubular lining;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the step of cutting excess material from the loop fastener;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the step of heating the cut edges of the loop fastener;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the step of smoothing out any roughness by abrading on a sand block;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the step of closing the opening by a slide fastener after inserting the tubular lining into the toy.

A toy illustrated as a plush bear 10 has a filling opening receiving an open-ended tubular lining 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 as having been turned outwardly. As is well understood in the art, an insertion tube of a filing device providing stuffing material into the toy may be inserted into the tubular lining as it is extended inwardly within the toy to provide stuffing material into the toy. The tubular lining 12 then may be turned outwardly as shown in FIG. 1 and a fastener 14 preferably formed by as a loop fastener of plastics material having a ratchet locking mechanism encircles the tubular lining 12 and is pulled tight as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Excess material such as the end 16 pulled through the ratch locking mechanism of the loop fastener 14 is then cut from the loop fastener 14 as shown in FIG. 3, and the cut edges are heated on a heated block 18 as shown in FIG. 4 to fuse any jagged edges. The fused edge is then abraded on a sand block 20 to smooth out any roughness. The tubular lining 12 may then be re-inserted into the toy 10 and the opening closed by a slide fastener 22 or flaps secured with Velcro® type material.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment made above; however, the present invention is not limited by any details of the above but is set forth by the appended claims. 

1. A method for closing a stuffed toy having an opening for receiving stuffing material, including the steps of providing a tubular lining extending inwardly of said opening for receiving an insertion tube of a filing device for providing stuffing material into the toy, turning the tubular lining outwardly of the toy and encircling said tubular lining with a fastener, tightening said fastener about said tubular lining, inserting said tubular lining into said toy and closing said opening.
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1, including the step of cutting any excess material from said fastener after it is tightened around said tubular lining.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 2, said fastener being a loop fastener formed of a synthetic plastics material and being heated to smooth any edges remaining from cutting said excess material.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 3, including the step of abrading said heated edges.
 5. A stuffed toy having an opening for receiving stuffing material, said opening having a tubular lining extending inwardly of said opening for receiving an insertion tube of a filing device for providing stuffing material into the toy, said tubular lining being closed by having been turned outwardly of the toy and encircled with a fastener tightened about said tubular lining with said tubular lining being thereafter inserted into said toy and said opening closed.
 6. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 5, any excess material from said fastener after it is tightened around said tubular lining having been cut away.
 7. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 6, said fastener being a loop fastener formed of a synthetic plastics material and being heated to smooth any edges remaining from cutting said excess material.
 4. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 3, the heated edges having been abraded. 